Gela is considered one of the oldest towns in Sicily, with its monuments and beaches
Gela was founded in 713 BC by Greeks after they discovered the area’s wonderful panoramas and extended beaches. According to legend the name of the village derives from the nearest river, located in the area.
Federico II di Svevia built the current old town centre in 1233 with a massive castle to protect the village from the frequent barbarian invasions.
One of the most important cultural attractions of the village is the Mother Church. Located in the old town centre, it is a well preserved example of Neoclassical Churches, displaying a huge facade enriched by Doric and Ionic columns. The church has a Latin cross plan and three impressive naves characterised by golden Neoclassical arches. The Santuario di Maria SS D’Alemanna, built in 1190 by Pope Celestino III includes charming Byzantine works of art. The Svevo Castle, also known as Castelluccio, was built in 1143 by the Count of Butera. The Manfria Tower is a watchtower built in the 16th century by Spanish. The Acropoli is an archaeological site where it is possibile to discover impressive ruins dating back to the Greek period such as the Athena Doric Temple and the Necropolis.
The Archaeological Museum, created in the 1950s, includes the most important findings undiscovered in the area such as ceramics, artefacts and coins dating back to the Greek, Roman and Medieval Periods.
People live here:
75.676
Attractions:
Festa della Madonna delle Grazie, it is an holy festivity (2/08)
Festa della Madonna Dell’Alemanna, it is an holy festivity(8/09)
Festa di San Giuseppe, it is an holy festivity
How to get there:
By Car:
From Palermo
Get on E90, exit Scillato from A19.Follow Strada Statale 643/SS643 and SS120 to A19/E932 in Castellana Sicula. Follow A19/E932 to Strada Statale 640 in Villarosa. Take exit Caltanissetta from A19/E932. Get on SS115 in Butera from SS626
From Caltanissetta
Get on Strada Statale dir Raccordo di Pietraperzia/SS640dir from Via Rochester, SP1 and Strada Statale 191. Take SS626 to Via Butera in Gela.
From Catania
Follow Strada Statale 417/SS417 and SS117bis to Via dell’Acropoli in Gela.
From Messina
Follow A18/E45, Strada Statale 417/SS417 and SS117bis to Via dell’Acropoli in Gela
By Plane:
The nearest airport is the Catania International Airport (100km) and the Falcone Borsellino Palermo Airport (220km)
By Train:
Gela Central Station
By Bus:
Bus Lines from Catania, Butera, Licata, Agrigento, Caltanissetta, Piazza Armerina, Enna, Palermo, Niscemi, Caltagirone, Ragusa
Accommodations:
Hotel Villa Peretti 4*
http://www.hotelvillaperetti.com/
Hotel Sileno 3 *
B&B Antiche Mura Resort
http://www.antichemuragela.com/
B&B 21
Address: Viale Indipendenza, Coop. 21 Giugno pal.G
Mobile: +39 348 794 5736 / +39 348 794 5736
Sicily Guest Huose
Address: Via Perugia, 129
Mobile: +39 348 1187352
Restaurants:
Osteria Miseria e Nobiltà
http://www.osteriamiseriaenobilta.it/
Demetra Gourmet
Address: Via Giulio Siragusa, 10
Mobile: +39 366 1792600 / +39 393 7949939 / +39 392 3828439
Ristorante Pizzeria Ciaramella
Address: Via C. Colombo, 69
Phone: +39 0933 912606
Ristorante La Brace
Address: Via Palazzi, 210 – 212
Phone: +39 0933 935431
Osteria Cusinato
Address: Via Marconi,16
Mobile: +39 349 4255340
Pizzeria Scavone
Address: Via la Paz, 2
Phone: +39 0933 938492
Athena Pizzeria-Ristorante
Address: Lungomare Federico II di Svevia, 44
Phone: +39 0933 901273 – +39 347 8901983
Peccati Di Gola
http://www.peccatidigolagela.it/
Trattoria San Giovanni
Address: Via Salvatore Damaggio Fischetti, 51
Phone: +39 0933 912674
Pizzeria Bella Napoli
Address: Lungomare Federico II Di Svevia, 70
Mobile: +39 349 4084472
Beaches:
Read everything on Beaches of Gela